Ukraine-Russia war – live: Toddler’s body pulled from rubble as air strikes death toll rises

Latest photographs from near Bakhmut, the scene of the heaviest fighting in the Donetsk region of Ukraine:

Ukraine is preparing for Russia to try again to invade from the north, a top commander has said.

Major General Andrii Kovalchuk, one of Ukraine’s most senior military officers, told Sky News that Vladimir Putin may even take the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, 24 February 2023, to order troops acroos the border from Belarus.

Ukraine repelled attacks on this front successfully in the early months of the war, leading the Kremlin to pull back and focus on the east and south of Ukraine.

“We are considering a possible offensive from Belarus at the end of February, maybe later,” Major General Kovalchuk said, speaking at an undisclosed location in southern Ukraine.

“We are preparing for it. We are investigating. We look at where they accumulate strength and means. We are preparing.”

A huge barrage of Russian missile strikes hit several cities in Ukraine on Friday, including the capital Kyiv.

Three people were killed after Moscow launched more than 70 rockets against energy infrastructure targets, according to officials.

In Kyiv, residents took to metro stations to shelter from the attacks, with some seen on platforms, while others packed into train carriages.

Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, used his nightly address to warn that Vladimir Putin had the means to order wave after wave of similar strikes.

Russia has warned of “consequences” if the US decides to deliver a sophisticated air defence system to Ukraine, a threat that has been rejected by Washington as “ironic” (Stuti Mishra writes).

The statement came from Russia’s foreign ministry on Thursday amid speculation that the US could provide its Patriot missiles to Ukraine as the invasion of the country by Russia enters its 10th month.

The statement warned that the systems and any crews that accompany them would be a “legitimate target” for the Russian military.

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the US had “effectively become a party” to the war by providing Ukraine with weapons and training its troops.

She added that if reports about US intentions to provide Kyiv with a Patriot surface-to-air missile system proves true, it would become “another provocative move by the US” and broaden its involvement in the hostilities, “entailing possible consequences”.

The US welcomed Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s call for a diplomatic resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“We would take PM Modi at his words and welcome those comments when they took place. Other countries will make their own decision on engagement with Russia. We continue to coordinate with allies to mitigate impacts of war,” State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said.

“Any country that’s interested in engaging in peace and interested in ending this war must do so in close partnership with Ukrainian partners,” Mr Patel added.

CIA director Bill Burns told PBS NewsHour in an interview that the Russians do not seem serious “at this point about a real negotiation”.

“Most conflicts end in negotiations, but that requires a seriousness on the part of the Russians in this instance that I don’t think we see,” Mr Burns said.

He added that there is an “unease” observed in Russia about the war, and an “accumulation of damage to the Russian economy and to Russians’ future”, which he believed could “take a toll” on the country over time.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak said the US would provide assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector which has been the target of massive coordinated attacks by Russian troops.

Mr Yermark said the US would assist Ukraine to boost its energy sector after meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Jeffrey Payette and Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink yesterday.

Russia fired over 70 missiles at Ukraine yesterday, in one of the biggest attacks since the start of the war, killing at least three civilians.

The missile strikes hit several energy infrastructure sites and caused emergency blackouts across Ukraine.

“No matter what the missile worshipers from Moscow are hoping for, it still won’t change the balance of power in this war,” Mr Zelensky said following the attacks.

Ukraine’s defense ministry has said Russian troops have robbed about 40 museums in Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

Recently it robbed Kherson Regional Local Lore Museum which had nearly 180,000 exhibits, the ministry said.

In November, the Ukrainian military’s National Resistance Centre reported that Russian forces stole around 15,000 exhibits from Kherson and surrounding areas.

FIFA has rejected Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to deliver a “message of peace” ahead of the World Cup final game in Qatar, CNN reported yesterday, citing an unnamed source.

The Ukrainian president reportedly wanted to deliver the message via video in the stadium in Qatar.

“We thought FIFA wanted to use its platform for the greater good,” the source said, adding they were surprised by the negative response.

Canada’s Department of Finance said in a statement yesterday that it is transferring $500m through the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

It said the loan follows the sale of bonds costing $100 or more to Canadians, investors, governments, and institutions.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau discussed further financial and security assistance for Ukraine with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday.

“We continue to stand with you...with each day and every conversation, our partnership grows stronger,” Mr Trudeau told the Ukrainian president.